(CNN) - Responding to the deadly mass shooting Friday in Newtown, Connecticut, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said new laws regulating guns won't deter such shootings, linking a lack of religious discussion in the classroom to increased violence in schools.

"We ask why there's violence in our school but we've systematically removed God from our schools," Huckabee said on Fox News. "Should we be so surprised that schools have become such a place of carnage? Because we've made it a place where we don't want to talk about eternity, life, what responsibility means, accountability."

"That we're not just gonna have to be accountable to the police if they catch us but one day we stand before a holy God in judgment. If we don't believe that, then we don't fear that," he said.

"People are going to want to pass new laws," Huckabee continued. "This is a heart issue ... laws don't change this kind of thing."

Huckabee made similar comments following the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, earlier this year saying violent acts should not be a surprise considering the removal of religion from public forums.

"We don't have a crime problem, or a gun problem, or even a violence problem. What we have is a sin problem," he said after the July shooting on Fox News. "And since we've ordered God out of our schools and communities; the military and public conversations... we really shouldn't act so surprised when all hell breaks loose."

Friday morning a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and opened fire killing 20 students and six adults before apparently killing himself. The tragedy has intensified the debate over gun laws in the U.S.

soundoff(81 Responses)

I don't want just anybody teaching my children how to have a relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in school.

December 15, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Eric S

The man is a walking advertisement for atheism.

December 15, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

CBR

Mr. Huckabee is making statements which he cannot back up. There is no evidence to suggest that religion in the classroom would stop violence. Nor is there evidence that any one religion is better at stopping the violence. Children across all religious, color, and ethnic lines have access to violence. Perhaps a stronger case could be made for the violence displayed in games, movies, television, and toys. The types of toy weapons and the types of games have changed greatly. The guns on the market today are certainly much more powerful and can shoot many more rounds. The NRA and other groups believe that all guns should be made available for sale. Perhaps it is time to look at the guns and the ammo available for sale today.

Perhaps he is too young to remember when there was more religion in the classroom. I do and it certainly was not better than today. Children were bullied, children were made fun of, children did things that children do. The difference in the killing machines available is perhaps the most striking difference.

Other countries use guns for hunting but do not have the problems we do about the improper use of those guns. This may be one time when we should look at what other nations allow and what laws they have on their books. They obviously do much better than we do in keeping their people safe.